6 Movies (and Two TV Shows) to Watch Before Thunderbolts*

Prepared as clockwork and consistent as a clear blue sky, the Marvel Cinematic Universe makes its grand return to cinemas this weekend. The latest offering is *Thunderbolts*, featuring Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour. As the culmination of phase five before The Fantastic Four: First Steps kicks off phase six, *Thunderbolts* carries a heavy responsibility. Directed by Jake Schreier, *Thunderbolts* is the 36th installation in the MCU. In total, it amounts to more than 70 hours of thrilling superhero entertainment. When you consider numerous TV series, keeping up with this colossal franchise seems downright daunting. Who has time for all that?

Watching Thunderbolts* might seem intimidating due to its characters being less known among typical MCU viewers. However, since Avengers: Endgame concluded many long-standing storylines, there isn’t much catching up to do. To help you get familiar with this diverse group of anti-heroes, we’ve compiled a list of essential films that will prepare you for Marvel’s latest release. From must-watch movies to shows that will transform you into an expert on the Thunderbolts*, here is your official guide.

Essential Viewing

Black Widow (2021)

Despite the fact that “Thunderbolts” resembles movies like “The Avengers” or “Suicide Squad” in terms of team-ups, it primarily focuses on one main character: Yelena Belova (Pugh). This is advantageous because it means you only need to watch one film prior – the 2021 release “Black Widow”, featuring Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), the Russian spy herself. In “Black Widow”, Yelena grapples with a mental health crisis, and this film provides valuable context for her backstory, revealing how she became a mercenary who struggles to identify herself without violence. Florence Pugh delivers an outstanding performance in “Black Widow”, and it serves as a great introduction to understanding Yelena’s mental state in “Thunderbolts”. Additionally, “Black Widow” offers the first glimpse of the Red Guardian (Harbour), who is both Yelena’s father figure and fellow Thunderbolts member.

Recommended Viewing

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Afterward, other characters from the Thunderbolts squad make their appearance. Among them is Ava Starr, also known as Ghost, portrayed by Hannah John-Kamen. This character possesses an impressive ability to become intangible, resulting in invisibility, but this power exacts a heavy toll on her: She’s physically unwell due to a deficiency of quantum energy, and she can’t lead a regular life. In the movie Ant-Man and the Wasp, she functions as an adversary, tirelessly chasing down the main characters because they are aware of the enigmatic quantum energy and have connections to Hank Pym (Michael Douglas). Although it may seem complex, Ant-Man and the Wasp manages to delve into Ghost’s background effectively and includes a scene that is directly referenced in Thunderbolts*.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Bucky Barnes, also known as the Winter Soldier, is a highly cherished character within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and belongs to the Thunderbolts. His significant debut took place in 2014’s hit movie “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” which delves into his past and the complex bond he shares with Captain America (played by Chris Evans). To explore their remarkable friendship and witness Barnes’ extraordinary physical abilities, watching this film is highly recommended. Should you find yourself intrigued, there are many more adventures of Barnes to experience; he appears in “Captain America: Civil War,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” and “Avengers: Endgame.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)

Are you surprised to learn about a Captain America other than Chris Evans or Anthony Mackie? This may be a character you’re not familiar with, as he appears in the Disney+ miniseries “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” John Walker, played by Wyatt Russell, takes on the role for a short time, but his journey towards heroism and eventual darker actions are explored more fully in this series. The miniseries also offers insights into Bucky Barnes and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus), who plays a significant part in the upcoming movie.

Further Viewing

Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

First things first: The movie “Thunderbolts” isn’t particularly great. However, it does continue the storyline from “Captain America: Brave New World,” so if you haven’t seen that film or need a refresher, this could be your chance. A crucial plot element in “Thunderbolts” involves the U.S. president transforming into a red giant, which is a significant point in “Brave New World.” Plus, there’s a scene featuring Harrison Ford transforming (literally) into a hulk, making it worth the ticket price alone.

Hawkeye (2021)

In the upcoming film “Thunderbolts“, Jeremy Renner’s character Hawkeye is noticeably absent and not mentioned at all. If you’re eager to delve deeper into Yelena, portrayed by Florence Pugh, following her appearance in “Black Widow“, the TV series “Hawkeye” would be your next logical choice. It’s essential to note that “Hawkeye” explores Yelena’s profound grief over the loss of her sister, a theme that significantly impacts her in “Thunderbolts“.

The Avengers (2012)

The exceptional Marvel Cinatic Universe (MCU) film, “The Avengers,” represents the pinnacle of collaboration among its characters. Known as the Avengers’ headquarters, the magnificent Avengers Tower is a significant location in the upcoming movie, “Thunderbolts.” A line hints at some extraordinary battles that have transpired within the tower, and if you’ve watched “The Avengers,” you’ll immediately recognize the battle it references. If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure to prioritize watching it, as it’s a must-see for any comic book enthusiast.

Further Viewing (Spoilers Edition)

This suggestion doesn’t disclose any character secrets or significant plot turns, but it does point out a particular detail about the comic book series “Thunderbolts” that might be considered a spoiler. Proceed with caution!

Moon Knight (2022)

This particular show, Moon Knight, seems unrelated to Thunderbolts at first glance. However, Thunderbolts introduces something called “shame rooms,” which were created by Bob, aka Sentry (Lewis Pullman). These rooms force individuals to confront their most traumatic past experiences. Interestingly, hardcore Marvel Cinematic Universe fans will recognize that shame rooms, or a very similar idea, were first introduced in the Moon Knight series on Disney+, where Oscar Isaac’s character battles personal demons. If you want a deeper understanding of this intriguing concept, it would be beneficial to watch Oscar Isaac grapple with his inner struggles in Moon Knight.

2025-05-01 18:54